Australia edge in front

11/26/2011 4:12:18 AM

Richard Green and Brendan Jones (Getty Images)

Australia edged ahead of Ireland and Germany at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup as two early birdies moved them to 15 under par.

Starting the fourballs tied with Ireland, the pairing of Richard Green and Brendan Jones picked up shots at the first and second holes at the Mission Hills Resort on Hainan Island to take a one shot lead.

Germany were the day’s big movers as Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka sank six birdies in seven holes from the third to climb to 14 under par through 10 holes.

They joined Ireland as Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell picked up a shot at the second to keep up the pressure on the Australians.

New Zealand, Japan and Wales were locked together on 12 under par. Birdies at the second and third helped New Zealand make a good start to their third round while Japan and Wales were both four-under for the day after eight holes.

Scotland, meanwhile, lost ground on the leaders as a bogey six at the second dropped Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher back into the group at 11 under par.